Creek Winner Disrupted `Honeymoon`

COCONUT CREEK — Andrew Mastronardy described his surprise victory over Councilman Walter Arnold as breaking up a majority of Wynmoor Village Condominium mentality on the City Council.

``I broke up the honeymoon, didn`t I?`` Mastronardy said Wednesday. ``I think it was important to break it up. There was too much of this brother-and-sister act, so to speak.``

Both Mastronardy, 75, and Arnold, 78, are Wynmoor residents and live on Bahama Bend.

Arnold echoed the feelings of Vice Mayor Ted Thomas and outgoing Mayor Lou Schneider -- both Wynmoor residents -- in supporting the now-defeated referendum that called for abolishing voter districts.

They also believe Wynmoor does not have too much influence on the City Council, despite criticism from many single-family homeowners.

Mastronardy said Wynmoor -- an influential condominium voting bloc with approximately 7,000 residents -- has too much power on the City Council, and districting is needed to provide equal representation for all parts of the city.

``What this (Tuesday`s election) proves, as far as I`m concerned, is that we have a lot of good practical people in Wynmoor,`` Mastronardy said. ``These people here are not self-centered or just interested in dealing with themselves.

``I think it`s a good sign that the people in Wynmoor want residents on the outside to have fair representation,`` he said. Arnold blamed his unsuccessful bid on a light voter turnout.

Bob Shelley and John Paul Jones squared off for an open, newly defined district seat, which includes the north area of the city.

Shelley, 73, ran an unsuccessful campaign last year, but was easily swept into office Tuesday.

``I think people who were able to hear me at the various candidates nights felt I had what is needed to take care of the government of this city,`` Shelley said.